December 16, 2010

*big kids* -- billings family photographer

ok, so we're still in october but we're near the end of October so technically that's progress right!? right. : )

For a change of pace - big kids.

I photo so few big kids and I'll be honest I think it's WAY tougher than the littles. I'm good with littles. A little tag, a little tickle bug, a few mini marshmallows being sneezed out of my nose and poof! smiling faces. Big kids though..well it's way harder to get those natural smiles I'm after so badly. They can smile on demand of course but that's too easy, and they just look a bit off when they do that - I want what they really look like when they're happy and with big kids it can be a bit tougher to crack the nut.

These kids were SUCH good sports, as was dad and honestly I don't remember the last time I had such a "feel good" shoot. They were all so sweet.

My favorite part though? About the time we were all done Dereck dropped raigan off so that he could go to work and I watched this mom and dad of big kids fall instantly in love with my toddler. The played with her with such enthusiasm and laughed when she kept yelling "Duck! Toose!" and seem to just be elated with her presence. It was a wonderful reminder to try and enjoy every minute of these precious little years for they'll be gone before I know it. : )

Those last ones are probably my favorite...after 16 years I can only hope that Dereck and I still look at each like that. : )